Japanese Startup To Create Man-Made Meteor Shower For 2020 Olympics

May 26th, 2016
By Lexi Witt
Many can think of at least one time in their lives when they saw that there was going to be a meteor shower soon, and they did everything they could to make sure they could see it. Thanks to Japanese tech startup Star-ALE, staying up late and getting up in the middle of the night to witness meteor showers could become a thing of the past.

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Many can think of at least one time in their lives when they saw that there was going to be a meteor shower soon, and they did everything they could to make sure they could see it. Thanks to Japanese tech startup Star-ALE, staying up late and getting up in the middle of the night to witness meteor showers could become a thing of the past.

In preparation for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japanese startup Star-ALE wants to simulate the natural phenomenon by creating a man-made meteor shower that viewers can see from an area of more than 120 miles. Biggest hitch? They will have to do so from space. The artificial meteor shower, rightly called SkyCanvas, will include extensive pyrotechnics that will start being launched into space just next year. The following is a promotional video for the lofty endeavor.
So how will they make this happen? Star-ALE will equip microsatellites with 500 to 1,000 source particles each that, upon entering Earth’s atmosphere, will ignite, glow, and begin plasma emission to give the full effect of real-life shooting stars. Through testing at Nihon University, the company is confident in the particle’s formula, and its ability to shine over Tokyo’s light pollution.

The Olympics opening ceremonies constantly impress time after time, and 2020 looks like it will definitely be no different. It might be the most memorable and incredible one yet, and who knows if it will even be possible considering technological and cost limitations? But hey, if reaching for the stars doesn't work, why not just create your own?
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